Rifa’a al-Tahtawi

Description (The direction towards Mecca (Qibla) is described as eastern and other directions are named accordingly)

A simple, small single-storey free-standing structure, comprising five high-ceiling rooms combining in an irregular plan. It is built of coarse stone, with corners, base course and top of the walls in ashlar stone, all now covered by thick wash. The main entrance is in the eastern elevation, asymmetrically placed in a protruding section, with one window to the right. The door is set in an extremely simplified rusticated framing and has a flat arch of joggled voussoirs as a lintel, as does the front façade window. A secondary door in the northern elevation leads to an external pergola (now missing any cover) on massive wooden beams resting on two stone pillars. Within the pergola are two simple limestone tomb markers, while more apparently related cenotaphs, some with fine calligraphic inscriptions, are located around the building. The main doorway leads into a vestibule from which are accessible: a service area with a toilet and a kitchenette; the burial chamber containing a wooden cenotaph of Rifa’a al-Tahtawi covered in a green cloth; and a second burial chamber preceded by an internal sitting area with numerous marble inscription panels commemorating persons deceased in the second half of the 20th century mounted on the western wall, as well as piece of cloth in the shape of the traditional Egyptian “galabeya” dress, with the names of Rifa’a al-Tahtawi and his family and the dates of their deaths embroidered. To the north of the room is a chamber with two large marble cenotaphs decorated with inscription panels dedicated to the female members of the family, those married to Al-Tahtawi sons. The style of the cenotaphs suggests an early 20th century date.